A knifeman who attacked a woman in her home was collared after police operators traced the terrified victim's 999 call.

The 46-year-old woman had dialled 999 pleading for help but she was forced to put the phone down as Paul Boaler, 27, attempted to cut her throat with an eight-inch kitchen knife.

In a six-minute call, the police operator heard her screams as she fought off Boaler who stabbed her in the leg, said prosecutor Paul Cleasby.

Police traced the call and they raced to the house where they found her bleeding with head injuries and Boaler slumped in an agitated state, obviously intoxicated. The woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, later received plastic surgery for a cut on her lip. Mr Cleasby told Teesside Crown Court: "He was told about the police tape of the six-minute 999 call and her repeated screams."

Boaler exercised his right to silence, and in an interview room he sat facing an opposite wall. Boaler, of Ellett Court, Hartlepool, was jailed for four years after he pleaded guilty to wounding with intent on 7 November last year.

He had previous convictions for unlawful wounding, affray and possessing an axe as an unlawful weapon, robbery and offences of drunk and disorderly last year and 2004.

Robin Denny, defending, said: "Drink has obviously played an important part over the years in his offending."

Judge Peter Armstrong told Boaler: "You indulged in what has been described as a prolonged and vicious attack."